Needles Municipal Code Art. 23 I General Provisions

23-1 Purpose 23-2 Policy 23-3 Definitions And Establishment Of Zones 23-4 Regulatory Signs

23-1 Purpose

The city adjoins the Colorado River as well as narrow sloughs, eroding levees and environmentally sensitive areas. The river offers potentially hazardous, conflicting uses to persons seeking recreation. These conflicting uses include, but are not limited to, skiing, fishing, swimming, boating, canoeing, and the operation of personal motorized watercrafts. This chapter will promote safety, preserve levees, and reduce the hazards presented by the conflicting uses. This will be accomplished by establishing speed limits, wake restrictions, no ski zones and boat anchorage areas. This chapter also seeks to control noise as well as provide for regulatory signs within the authority granted cities by the State Harbors and Navigation Code. (Ord. No. 442-AC)

23-2 Policy

It is the policy of the city council to promote safety, to reduce hazardous conflicts on the Colorado River, to coordinate the use of said waterways, and to coordinate the city’s waterway safety concerns with appropriate state and federal agencies and adjoining counties so as to enhance and ensure the safety of persons and property. (Ord. No. 442-AC)

23-3 Definitions And Establishment Of Zones

1. “No wake zones” means that no wave of water generated or increased by a moving boat or other vessel which strikes the shore, a levee, anchored vessel or moored vessel which is made fast to a way or landing float, shall show a white water break.

“No wake” buoys shall be clearly marked and placed in a manner which will make one or more of them plainly visible to boaters approaching the “no wake zone” anywhere along its entire circumference. The establishment of additional “no wake zones” shall be accomplished by city council resolution or by operators of marinas or private development pursuant to the procedures established in subsection (b) below. 2. “Limited speed zones” means the speed zones described in article III and shall be restricted to five miles per hour. Speed zones for the benefit of marinas and other private developments shall be established by the operators of the development as follows:

1. The type, size and location of signs shall be subject to approval by the police department with review by the planning department. 2. The necessary approvals from the State Department of Boating and Waterways and other agencies, as required, be obtained by the operators. 3. Installation and maintenance of the signs shall be the responsibility of the operators. All waterway markers shall be placed in accordance with Title 24, Section 7000-7009 of the California Code of Regulations (Title 14, CCR). In accordance with the provisions of subsection c, paragraphs 1 and 2, of section 7003, title 14, CCR, notifications shall be given to the Department of Boating and Waterways of the location, description and purpose of each marker placed to control vessel traffic. Other speed zones will be established and regulatory signs placed as recommended by the chief of police.
   3. “No ski zones” means zones which are established where vessel speeds may exceed five miles per hour, but snags, narrow sloughs or congestion present potential hazard to skiers. These zones shall be in areas described in Article III. Such areas are to be posted with appropriate “no skiing” signs by the police department.
   4. “Nature study preserves” are areas reserved for fishing as well as scientific and educational study. Those areas indicated as such in article III are to be posted by the police department with signs prohibiting boating in excess of idle speed.
   5. “No launch zones” are zones where no person shall launch a vessel from the shore or bank of the Colorado River, except in those areas designated by resolution of the city council.
   6. “White water break” is a broken wave topped by distinctive white froth, caused by a moving boat or other vessel creating enough turbulence through propulsion that a V-shaped pattern is formed on the surface of the water that curls until the resultant wave forms a crest and breaks. (Ord. No. 442-AC)

23-4 Regulatory Signs

1. The wording of waterway markers, speed and other regulatory signs at appropriate locations will be approved by the chief of police or as provided for herein, subject to review by the planning department, and appropriate state and federal agencies.

   2. Exemption. Aids to navigation under the jurisdiction of the U.S. Coast Guard and emergency signs are exempted from the provisions of this section.
   3. Notice to Boaters. Operations of all public boating facilities shall be required to display a boating regulation sign which is clearly visible to all persons embarking upon the river by boat. The chief of police shall determine the size, shape, material and color of the signs. The sign shall contain the following:

   WARNING

   State law makes it a misdemeanor to operate your motorized watercraft in excess of five miles per hour when you are: 1. Within 100 feet of any person who is engaged in the act of bathing. A person engaged in the sport of water skiing shall not be considered as engaged in the act of bathing for the purpose of this section. 2. Within 200 feet of any: (a) beach frequented by bathers; (b) swimming float, diving platform, or lifeline; (c) way or landing float to which boats are made fast or which is being used for the embarkation or discharge of passengers.

No persons shall operate any vessel or manipulate water skis or any aqua plane, or any similar device in a reckless or negligent manner or cause a wake which results in danger to any person or vessel.

No person shall operate any vessel or manipulate water skis or any aqua plane, or any similar device while under the influence of an alcoholic beverage or a drug.

“PLEASE OBSERVE THESE RULES AND ALL POSTED REGULATORY SIGNS--THESE RULES ARE ENFORCED BY THE CITY OF NEEDLES” 4. Maintenance. All signs and waterway markers shall be maintained in proper condition or be replaced or removed as determined by the chief of police. (Ord. 442-AC)